That's What Friends Are For

....Facebook friends that is.  The following is a list of Facebook friends (or pages) that I have connected with and I feel I REALLY benefit from their posts.  Their posts are inspirational, motivational and sometimes just informative.

Jen Jewell
Fit Foodies.  Healthy Life.
Skinny Fat Fitness
Living Kell (local KC gal!)
Alicia Silverstone (Clueless astress turned author)
I Got Tired of Being Fat and Got in Shape!
Fitness Model Amanda Adams
Amanda Adams
Fitness Model Ashley Katz
Melissa Morris
Tone It Up
The Dirtie Duckie (adorable local KC couple)
Fitness Model/Writer Jamie Eason



This is a picture that Jamie Eason (last link) posted where she's talking about condiments.  She, and the others, have great information for living a healthier lifestyle.  Check em out!

Wowzah!

I have been completely blown away by the support from friends and family during my journey.  Even people that I hardly know have contacted me and expressed how they are enjoying my blog.  I had an instant message from someone the other day that just reiterated that what I am doing is EXACTLY what I SHOULD be doing.  The instant message went on to say some pretty powerful things and it left me in tears...tears of pure joy and disbelief that I am doing it!  I really am doing this!!  Even as I type this, I'm getting a little teary eyed.

I have always been someone that likes to express their feelings on paper (or 'virtual' paper).  I kept a diary, which later became my journal, from almost the time I could write a sentence to the the age of 26 years old.  It really puts things into perspective when you go back in time and read what was on your mind, what you were worried about or even happy about.  So when I started this blog, it was just for me to go back reflect.  I had no intentions of anyone reading it... let alone liking it or even loving it. 

From my last post of  Eating Good CAN Be Easy! to the one before that of I ♥ Kale Chips - my audience has increased OVER 100%.  I think that's pretty cool considering I'm no one special, I'm just an average working mom, with an average income with an average family (okay, so my family IS pretty darn awesome) but you get the idea; I am feelin' your love and it's amazing!

Thank you all for your support!

Eating Good CAN be Easy!

A few posts back when I talked about Being Organized someone asked that I post my list of healthy eating options.  I thought with the Christmas potlucks being hot and heavy now would be a great time to share it.

Please keep in mind this list represents things that my family and I will eat; certainly not every single option out there AND as with almost all food PORTION CONTROL is essential.

MY MIGHTY LIST
Hummus with pita chips or veggies
Plain vanilla yogurt with granola sprinkled on top
V8
Cheese sticks
Eggs - boiled eggs, poached or scrambled
Grilled chicken
Peas - I sometimes grab a handful of frozen peas and throw into a container for lunch.  By lunch time, they are thawed and yummy-licious!
Steamed veggies - personal favorites: cauliflower, broccoli & carrots
Bran flakes and rice milk
Brown rice with sauteed veggies - personal favorites: zucchini, squash & onions
Small greek salad
Small black and blue salad - standard salad but topped with a few thin slices of steak and sprinkled with blue cheese
Fresh spinach - put in a salad or with your scrambled eggs; great way to boast your protein intake.
Cottage cheese
Apple slices with peanut butter
Bowl of grapes
Watermelon
Kale chips
Sweet potatoes - pop it in the microwave for about 6 minutes....PURE HEAVEN!
Steamed green beans
Sauteed asparagus
Celery sticks
Grilled eggplant - eat it just like a hamburger
Grilled portabella mushroom - eat it just like a hamburger
Cherry tomatoes
English cucumber slices - waaaaay better than the standard cucumber
Grapefruit
Blueberries
Raspberries
Pears - try it sprinkled with blue cheese - OMGOSH!
Handful of almonds
Quinoa
Hot sauce - did you know that every time you eat something hot it immediately speeds up you metabolism!

If you can learn to eat healthy and control your portions you wont need a diet; it will become second nature!

I ♥ Kale Chips!

One of my most favorite go-to snack is kale chips.  They usually do the job when my craving for something crunchy kicks in.  Kale is incredibly healthy and has tons of beneficial factors; one being the promotion of  weigh loss (oh yeah!). Just google 'benefits of kale" and you will be amazed! 

I've made many variations of kale chips and how found the perfect one for me.  Maybe it will be the perfect one for you too!

Ingredients
Organic Kale (always go organic when you can)
Olive Oil
Ranch Popcorn Seasoning

Rinse and dry the kale
Tear the kale into bite size pieces - don't use the stems, they are tough and not very yummy.

Put all the kale pieces into a large zip lock back (I use the gallon size)

Put a drizzle of the olive oil in the bag with the kale - a little goes a long way
Then shake the bag to make sure all the kale is coated with the olive oil.

Dump the kale on to a baking sheet, try not to have the kale pieces sitting on top of one another.

Then shake the seasoning on the kale - I use alot, probably more than I should.  The seasoning tastes terrible on popcorn but delish on kale chips!

Bake at 325 degrees for about 8-9 minutes.  Adjust your temp and time to suite YOU.  I originally use to bake them at 350 for 9 minutes and they always came out really crispy.  I actually like them a little tender versus 100% crispy.

Place them on a plate and enjoy the super food kale - YUM!!!!

Whoa - It's December!?!?

I can't believe that we are now in the last month of 2011 - this year has for sure had it's ups and downs for me, my family and my friends.  I came across this December Promise a few days ago and thought it was a great way to end 2011 with a bang! 

Can you keep this promise?  I'm going to certainly try :-)